Method of controlling a component of a vehicle with a user device

ABSTRACT

A method of controlling a component of a vehicle with a user device includes receiving a data signal from the user device, within a vehicle controller. Graphics, corresponding to the data signal received from the user device, are displayed on a display screen of the vehicle. A signal is received from the user device that indicates the user device has received an input into a user interface of the user device. A determination is made, in the controller, that the signal received from the user device corresponds to controlling the component of the vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/US2014/035396, filed on Apr. 25, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/816,089, filed Apr. 25, 2013, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is related to a system and method of controlling a component of a vehicle with a user device.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles, such as cars, typically include displays or indicators to provide information to the vehicle user. Such displays or indicators may, for example, provide information regarding mileage, fuel consumption, and vehicle speed. The vehicle user usually has to shift his eye gaze away from the road scene and on to an in-vehicle display in order to visually process the information presented by these displays or indicators. In order to interact with the displayed information, the user has to utilize input controls that are built into the vehicle.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure provides a method of controlling a component of a vehicle with a user device includes receiving a data signal from the user device, within a vehicle controller. Graphics, corresponding to the data signal received from the user device, are displayed on a display screen of the vehicle. A signal is received from the user device that indicates the user device has received an input into a user interface of the user device. A determination is made, in the controller, that the signal received from the user device corresponds to controlling the component of the vehicle.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a vehicle including a component and an interface system. The interface system includes a display screen and a vehicle controller. The vehicle controller is configured to be in selective communication with a user device. The vehicle controller is operable for receiving a data signal from the user device. The data signal is received within the vehicle controller. Graphics are displayed that correspond to the data signal received from the user device on the display screen of the interface system. A signal is received from the user device that indicates the user device has received an input into a user interface of the user device. A determination is made in the controller that the signal received from the user device corresponds to actuating the component of the vehicle.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure provides an interface system for controlling a component of a vehicle with a user device. The interface system includes a display screen and a vehicle controller. The vehicle controller is configured to be in operative communication with the component and the user device. The vehicle controller operable for receiving, by the interface system, a data signal from the user device. The data signal corresponds to the execution of at least one software application. Graphics are displayed that correspond to the data signal received from the user device on the display screen of the interface system. A signal is received from the user device indicating the user device has received an input into a user interface of the user device. A determination is made, in the controller, that the signal received from the user device, corresponds to actuating the component of the vehicle

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present teachings are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the present teachings when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrative side view of a vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagrammatic view of an interior of a vehicle having an interface system and a user device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the vehicle, including a component and the interface system, illustrating the vehicle in communication with a user device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a method of alerting the user of the vehicle as to a scene, external to the vehicle, requiring the user's attention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” “top,” “bottom,” etc., are used descriptively for the figures, and do not represent limitations on the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, the invention may be described herein in terms of functional and/or logical block components and/or various processing steps. It should be realized that such block components may be comprised of any number of hardware, software, and/or firmware components configured to perform the specified functions.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a vehicle 10 including a body 12. The vehicle 10 may be a land vehicle, such as a car, or any other type of vehicle such as an airplane, farm equipment, construction equipment, a boat, etc.

With reference to FIG. 3, the vehicle 10 includes an interface system 14 and at least one component 16. The interface system 14 is configured to allow the operative connection between a user device 18 and a component 16 of the vehicle 10. The interface system 14 may include a display screen 21 and the vehicle controller 20.

The component 16, which is resident within the vehicle 10, may include, but should not be limited to a head unit, a heads-up display (HUD), instrument cluster, center display, speakers, a video screen, air blowers, speedometer, seat motors, door locks, window motors, window defrost actuators, power doors, include, or be included in, a head unit, an infotainment system, a navigation system, an on-board telephone system, a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and other like devices within the vehicle 10. The video screen and/or display screen 21 may be located anywhere within the interior of the vehicle 10, including, but not limited to, extending from a headliner, rear seat entertainment displays, side window displays, center front displays, and any other area capable of receiving a display.

The component 16 is configured to operatively interact with the interface system 14. More specifically, the vehicle 10 component 16 may be operatively connected to the vehicle controller 20. The vehicle 10 component 16 may be operatively interconnected to the vehicle controller 20 (arrow 42) using, a wireless communication medium, for example, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc., or may be wired communication medium, for example, a universal serial bus (USB) or other hardwire cable via hardwiring. It would be understood that the elements of the component 16 may include, but should not be limited to, a vehicle interface, while such things as the operating system 34, the applications, and the like, are resident within the user device 18.

The user device 18 may be a portable device that is carried by the user 24 of the interface system 14, i.e., a user 24 of the vehicle 10. The component 16 may be a smart phone, a tablet, a computer, a netbook, an e-reader, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a gaming device, a video player, a wristwatch, and other like devices with a at least one sensor and capable of running a plurality of software applications, either preloaded or downloaded by the user 24, which may be stored on and executed by the user device 18 to interact with one or more of the components 16, via the interface system 14. Examples of the plurality of software functions may include, but should not be limited to, providing music, DVD, video, phone, navigation, weather, e-mail, climate control, seat motor actuation, window motor actuation, window defrost actuation, and other like applications.

The user device 18 may include a device memory 26, a transmitter 28, at least one sensor 29, and a user interface 30, also referred to as a human machine interface (HMI). The sensors 29 may be one or more of an accelerometer, a touch sensor, a pressure sensor, a camera, a proximity sensor, a physiological sensor, and other like sensors. The sensors 29 may be operatively connected to, or otherwise in operative communication, with the user interface 30. The touch sensor may be configured to sense gestures, while operatively contacting the touch sensor. Therefore, the touch sensor may be able to discern gestures corresponding to on/off and/or directional gestures, including, but not limited to, left right, up, down, etc. The pressure sensor may be configured to sense on/off, pressure range, and pressure distribution into the user interface 30. The temperature sensor may be configured to sense a temperature in an area of the sensor that may be configured to enact a change temperature in an area of the vehicle 10. The camera may be configured to recognize an object, features of an object, cause a state change, recognize motion to thereby adjust a feature, and the like. The accelerometer may be configured to sense a rate of acceleration to thereby bring about, i.e., via the vehicle controller 20, a corresponding movement of a component in the vehicle and/or change an orientation of the display screen within the vehicle 10. The proximity sensor may be configured to adjust a level within the vehicle. By way of a non-limiting example, the proximity sensor may be configured to sense light intensity to bring about, i.e., via the vehicle controller 20, a dimming of the display screen 21, adjusting a light intensity within the vehicle 10, and the like. The physiological sensor may be configured to monitor physiological state thresholds so as to bring about, i.e., via the engine controller 20, a change in vehicle operating conditions. By way of a non-limiting example, the physiological sensor may determine that the user 24 is perspiring and would, in turn, transmit a signal to the vehicle controller 20 to turn on air conditioning and play classical music through speakers within the vehicle. It should be appreciated that the user device may include other sensors 29 and the software of the vehicle controller 20 may be configured to recognize signals from any type of sensor 29.

The user interface 30 may include audio input and/or output, a keypad, touch screen, a display screen 21, a switch, and/or other like interfaces. In use, the user 24 may activate the user device 18 by actuating one or more of the user interfaces 30. By way of a non-limiting example, the user 24 may turn on the air conditioning within the vehicle 10 by touching the touch pad on the user device 18. As such, the software and sensors 29 configured for controlling such components 16 is resident within the user device 18 and not resident within the vehicle 10.

Further, the vehicle controller 20 may be configured to receive a signal (arrow 36) in response to input by the user 24 into the user interface 30. Such input into the user interface 30 may be sensed by at least one of the sensors 29 and subsequently be transmitted to the vehicle controller 20. By way of a non-limiting example, accelerometers within the user device 18 may be configured to sense movement of the user device 18. More specifically, the accelerometers may sense an orientation of the user device 18 as the user device 18 is tilted and turned. Signals, corresponding to the orientation of the user device may be transmitted to the vehicle controller 20. In response, the vehicle controller 20 may transmit a signal (arrow 42) to a corresponding component 16 to cause the component 16 to move to mimic or otherwise correspond to the movement and orientation of the user device 18. The component may be an outside mirror, a rearview mirror, a display on the display screen 21, position of a vehicle seat, and the like.

In another non-limiting example, the pressure sensors within the user device 18 may be configured to sense the pressure being applied to the user interface 30. As such, the signal transmitted from the user device 18 to the vehicle controller 20 may be proportionate to the amount of pressure applied to the user interface 30. Therefore, if a large pressure is applied, the signal transmitted to the vehicle controller may instruct the vehicle controller to send a corresponding signal to the HVAC blower to increase a fan speed. Conversely, application of a lesser pressure to the user interface 30 may cause the signal transmitted to the vehicle controller to set the fan speed of the HVAC blower to be proportionately less than the fan speed with the higher pressure. It should be appreciated that the pressure is not limited to being able to control fan speed of the HVAC blower, but may also be used to control temperatures of the HVAC system, seat temperatures, seat positions, lumbar support, lighting levels, speaker levels, etc.

In yet another non-limiting example, the camera and/or the proximity sensor may be configured to sense a level of light surrounding the user device 18. As such, the user device 18 may transmit a signal to the vehicle controller 20 to adjust light levels within the vehicle 10 and/or exterior to the vehicle 10. It should be appreciated that the camera and/or proximity sensors may be used to control other features of the vehicle 20, as well.

In another example, the display screen 21 may display a menu of selectable software applications. The user 24 may physically gesture with their hand, whereby a camera, resident within the user device 18, recognizes the gesture. A selectable software application, displayed on the display screen 21 within the interface system 14, may be highlighted in response to the gesture. Such a highlighting of the software application on the display screen 21 may be sufficient to signal the user device 18 to execute the selected software application. Alternatively, another input into the user interface 30 may be required to execute the highlighted software application to run on the user device 18, such as, a voice command, toggling a switch, touching the touch screen, and the like.

The software of the vehicle controller 20 may also be configured to modify a sensitivity of input gain into the user interface 30 of the user device 18 as a function of vehicle 10 operating conditions, user 24 preference, driving context, and the like. By way of a non-limiting example, the graphical display of a visual menu list, displayed on the display screen 21, may respond to a gesture at different vehicle velocities and/or vehicle accelerations. Therefore, the vehicle controller 20 may be configured to interpret the input signal from the user device 18 such that response from the vehicle controller 20 to the component 16 corresponds to the operating state of the vehicle.

Once the software application is executed, the vehicle controller 20 may transmit a signal to the component 16, e.g., via the transmitter 28, to operate. By way of a non-limiting example, if the selected software application was music, the vehicle controller 20 may transmit signals to speakers within the vehicle 10 to play the music.

The user interface 30 of the user device 18 may also be configured to provide a haptic feedback to inputs into the user interface 30. More specifically, haptic response provides tactile feedback, which takes advantage of the sense of touch by applying forces, vibrations, or motions to the user 24. By way of example, the user 24 may move a finger across the touchpad to change an operating mode on the HVAC controls simulated on the display screen 21 of the interface system 14. As a different HVAC operating mode is highlighted and/or selected on the display screen 21, the user interface 30 may vibrate, signaling to the user 24 that the different operating mode was selected. It should be appreciated that the haptic feedback may be provided for any desired software application. The user interface 30 may also be equipped with tactile sensors that may measure forces exerted by the user 24 on the user interface 30.

The user device 18 may include an operating system 34, which may provide functionality such as authenticating the user device 18 to the component 16 through a handshaking process or other authenticating process and enabling one or more applications. The operating system 34 and/or user device 18 may include memory configured of sufficient size and type to store data and other information and to store and/or execute the plurality of applications.

The vehicle controller 20 may be configured to interact with the user device 18 through a first communication link (arrow 36). The first communication link may be a wireless communication medium, for example, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc., or may be wired communication medium, for example, a universal serial bus (USB) or other hardwire cable. A protocol may be used over the communication link to project graphics, sound, operating instructions, and the like from the user device 18 to the vehicle 10 component 16. The user device 18 may also utilize a direct hardware video and/or audio out signals to project the contents of the user interface 30 of the user device 18 onto the display screen 21 included in the interface system 14. The display screen 21 may be, for example, a video display screen 21 configured to display video content, an electronic visual display configured to display images, and other like devices for displaying content.

The user device 18 may further include a communications interface 38 to selectively communicate with other devices, via a second communication link (arrow 40), which may include telephones, portable devices, and one or more off-board (e.g., off vehicle) servers or systems. The second communication link may be a wireless communication link in communication with a telecommunications network or the internet.

An example of an off-board system may include one or more service providers, which may be configured as a server located off-board the vehicle 10, e.g., at a location remote from the vehicle 10. The off-board server may be a vehicle integrated service providers, such as the OnStar® service system, which may be selectively linked to the vehicle 10 component 16 via the user device 18. The server may include an operating system 34, which may provide functionality such as authenticating a device in communication with the server that may be, for example, the user device 18 or the component 16, through a handshaking process or other authenticating process, and enabling one or more applications. The operating system 34 and/or server may include memory that is configured of sufficient size and type to store data and information and store and execute the plurality of applications. The plurality of applications may include, for example, phone, voicemail, text messaging, email, navigation, web browser, message analysis including information feature extraction, message transcription including voice-to-text transcription using, for example, automatic speech recognition (ASR), and text-to-speech (TTS) conversion. The server further includes a communications interface 38 which may be used to enable interaction between the user device 18 and/or the vehicle 10 component 16 which may include sending and receiving data and information including a message and/or an information feature through the communications link, or providing other services, such as navigation instructions, telephone text, email and/or other messaging services.

One or more servers may be selectively linked to the user device 18 to, in turn, operate the component 16 of the vehicle 10, through the vehicle controller 20. For example, a first server 46 may be selectively linked to the user device 18, where the first server 46 is configured as a service provider or back-end server to process information features and provide services related thereto to the vehicle 10. In one example the first server 46 may be configured as a back-end such as the OnStar® system. A second server 48 may be selectively linked to the user device 18 and configured to receive a message from the vehicle 10 component 16, and the integration application, and to extract the information feature(s) from the message and/or transcribe or convert the message and/or information feature(s).

The vehicle controller 20 is programmed to provide communication between the user device 18 and the component 16 via execution of instructions embodying a method 100, an example of which is described below with reference to FIG. 3.

The vehicle controller 20 of FIG. 1 may be embodied as one or more computer devices having a processor (P) 22 and tangible, non-transitory memory (M) 25 on which is recorded instructions for executing the method 100. The memory 25 may include magnetic or optical memory, electrically-erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), and the like. Additional transitory memory may be included as needed, e.g., random access memory (RAM), memory for internal signal buffers, etc. Other hardware of the vehicle controller 20 may include a high-speed clock, analog-to-digital (A/D) circuitry, digital-to-analog (D/A) circuitry, and any required input/output (I/O) circuitry and devices, as well as signal conditioning and buffer electronics. Individual control algorithms resident in the vehicle controller 20 or readily accessible by the vehicle controller 20 may be stored in memory 25 and/or other suitable memory, and automatically executed via the processor 22 to provide the required control functionality.

Referring to FIG. 4, an example embodiment of the method 100 begins with step 102, where the vehicle controller 20 receives a signal (arrow 36) from the user device 18 requesting to connect the user device 18 to the interface system 14. The signal may automatically result from the user device 18 being docked in a docking station within the vehicle 10. Alternatively, the signal may be the result of the vehicle 10 user 24 affirmatively activating the user device 18, i.e., actuating the user interface 30. Once the vehicle controller 20 receives the signal, the method proceeds to step 104.

At step 104, the vehicle controller 20 may authenticate the user device 18 to the component 16 through a handshaking process or other authenticating process and enabling one or more applications. Once the vehicle controller 20 authenticates the user device 18, the method proceeds to step 106.

At step 106, the user device 18 is connected to the interface system 14. As already described, the connection between the user device 18 and the interface system 14 may be employed by a wireless communication medium or a wired communication medium. Once the user device 18 is connected to the interface system 14, the method proceeds to step 108.

At step 108, the controller may receive a data signal (arrow 36) from the user device 18. The data signal may correspond to graphics, video, etc., to be displayed on the display screen 21 of the interface system 14. The data signal may correspond to graphics that may be a menu of an application, which was activated and is running on the user device 18. Once the controller receives the data signal, the method proceeds to step 110.

At step 110, the display screen 21 of the interface system 14 may display the graphics corresponding to the data signal received from the user device 18. By way of example, the display screen 21 may display a menu including a plurality of choices for music channels available for selection. The method then proceeds to step 112.

At step 112, controller receives a signal from the user device 18 that the user device 18 has received an input (arrow 44) into the user interface 30. Such an input into the user interface 30 may include, but should not be limited to, an audio input, keypad actuation, touch screen actuation, switch actuation, activation of accelerometers within the user device 18, and the like. The method proceeds to step 114.

At step 114, the display screen 21 alters the display as a function of the signal received from the user device 18. In continuing with the exemplary menu for the music channels, provided above, the display screen 21 may highlight a selected music channel on the menu in response to receiving the signal from the user device 18. The method then proceeds to step 116.

At step 116, the controller determines whether the signal received from the user device 18 corresponds to activating one or more components 16 of the vehicle 10. If the vehicle controller 20 determines that the signal does not correspond to activating one or more components 16, the method returns to step 114. However, if the vehicle controller 20 determines the signal does correspond to activating one or more components 16, the method proceeds to step 118.

At step 118, the vehicle controller 20 transmits a signal to the corresponding component 16 of the vehicle 10. The method then proceeds to step 120.

At step 120, the component 16 receives the transmitted signal.

It should be appreciated that the method is not limited to using the applications and components 16 described herein. Other applications may be executed and/or other components 16 may be actuated, so long as the applications remain resident within, and are executed by, the user device 18.

While the best modes for carrying out the many aspects of the present teachings have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which these teachings relate will recognize various alternative aspects for practicing the present teachings that are within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A method of controlling a component of a vehicle with a user device, the method comprising: receiving a data signal from the user device, wherein the data signal is received within a vehicle controller; receiving a signal from the user device indicating the user device has received an input into a user interface of the user device, wherein the signal is received within the vehicle controller; determining, in the controller, that the signal received from the user device corresponds to actuating the component of the vehicle. transmitting a signal from the vehicle controller to the component; receiving, by the component, the signal from the vehicle controller; and actuating the component as a function of the transmitted signal.
 2. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the signal received from the user device is a function of a sensor reading of at least one sensor within the user device.
 3. A method, as set forth in claim 2, further comprising determining a vehicle operating condition; wherein transmitting a signal from the vehicle controller to the component is a function of the vehicle operating condition and the sensor reading of the at least one sensor.
 4. A method, as set forth in claim 2, wherein transmitting a signal from the vehicle controller to the component is proportional to the sensor reading of the at least one sensor within the user device.
 5. A method, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: displaying graphics corresponding to the data signal received from the user device on a display screen of the vehicle; and altering the display of graphics on the display screen as a function of the signal received from the user device.
 6. A method, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: operatively connecting the user device to an interface system of the vehicle; receiving a signal, in a vehicle controller, from the user device; and authenticating the user device such that at least one application is enabled on the user device.
 7. A method, as set forth in claim 1, actuating a haptic actuator within the user device to provide a haptic response through the user device to indicate the signal received from the user device corresponds to actuating the component of the vehicle.
 8. A method, as set forth in claim 1, wherein actuating the component is further defined as changing an orientation of the component as a function of the transmitted signal.
 9. A vehicle configured to communicate with a user device, the vehicle comprising: a component; and an interface system including a vehicle controller; wherein the vehicle controller is configured to be in selective communication with a user device, the vehicle controller is operable for: receiving a data signal from the user device, wherein the data signal is received within the vehicle controller; receiving a signal from the user device indicating the user device has received an input into a user interface of the user device; determining, in the controller, that the signal received from the user device, corresponds to actuating the component of the vehicle; transmitting a signal from the vehicle controller to the component; and receiving, by the component, the signal from the vehicle controller; and actuating the component as a function of the transmitted signal.
 10. A vehicle, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the signal received from the user device is a function of a sensor reading of at least one sensor within the user device.
 11. A vehicle, as set forth in claim 10, wherein the vehicle controller is further operable for determining a vehicle operating condition; and wherein transmitting a signal from the vehicle controller to the component is a function of the vehicle operating condition and the sensor reading of the at least one sensor.
 12. A vehicle, as set forth in claim 10, wherein transmitting a signal from the vehicle controller to the component is proportional to the sensor reading of the at least one sensor within the user device.
 13. A vehicle, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the interface system further includes a display screen and the vehicle controller is further operable for: displaying graphics corresponding to the data signal received from the user device on the display screen of the interface system; and altering the display of graphics on the display screen as a function of the signal received from the user device.
 14. A vehicle, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the vehicle controller is further operable for: operatively connecting the user device to the interface system of the vehicle. receiving a signal, in a vehicle controller, from the user device; and authenticating the user device such that at least one application is enabled on the user device.
 15. A vehicle, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the vehicle controller is further operable for providing haptic feedback through the user device to indicate the signal received from the user device corresponds to actuating the component of the vehicle.
 16. A vehicle, as set forth in claim 9, wherein actuating the component is further defined as changing an orientation of the component as a function of the transmitted signal.
 17. An interface system for controlling a component of a vehicle with a user device, the interface system comprising: a vehicle controller configured to be in operative communication with the component and the user device, the vehicle controller operable for: receiving a data signal from the user device, wherein the data signal is received within the vehicle controller; receiving a signal from the user device indicating the user device has received an input into a user interface of the user device; determining, in the controller, that the signal received from the user device, corresponds to actuating the component of the vehicle; transmitting a signal from the vehicle controller to the component to actuate the component.
 18. A vehicle, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the interface system further includes a display screen and the vehicle controller is further operable for: displaying graphics corresponding to the data signal received from the user device on the display screen of the interface system; and altering the display of graphics on the display screen as a function of the signal received from the user device.
 19. A vehicle, as set forth in claim 9, wherein the vehicle controller is further operable for: operatively connecting the user device to the interface system of the vehicle. receiving a signal, in a vehicle controller, from the user device; and authenticating the user device such that at least one application is enabled on the user device. 